This is about religion. I am a
Catholic and tons of people I know are atheist. I often get mad at
them and start complaining about it. I just want the atheists to
believe in their maker, but I can't seem to do so. Can you help?

Hey girl, I'm sorry you are struggling
to get your friends to see things the way you do. Unfortunately,
that's something that you will experience throughout the course of
your life. May as well learn ways to handle it early on instead of
continuously feeling frustrated as you try to persuade others to
understand, right?

Make friends who have similar
beliefs

Although some will agree with your
viewpoint, others will feel strongly about their own very different
beliefs. It might help you not to feel so alone if you join a youth
group at your church, or find a religious club at school. That way,
you can bond with other teens who share your similar faith. That is
not to say that you should avoid everyone who believes something
different than you do, but try to form friendships with people who
understand where you are coming from.

Walk a mile in the other person's
shoes

It's important not to be insensitive to
other people's ideas. Imagine if someone was criticizing your faith.
How would that make you feel? Try to learn how to respect the beliefs
of every person you meet. Don't get me wrong, girl, that's a hard
skill to master, but remember, it does not mean that you need to
accept everything they say. It does mean that you shouldn’t
criticize others for how they see things. Imagining how you would
feel if your beliefs were called into question is a great way to
discern if you are being too judgmental.

Recognize boundaries

Every person has a very unique life
experience. You need to recognize that you can’t always understand
every individual's story. What events have made or shaped them? Do
they have their own personal reasons for believing or disbelieving
what you preach? These are questions you probably don’t have the
answers to. If you wind up on the topic of religion in conversation,
try to see the signals the other person sends you. If you sense it is
a touchy subject, talk about something else! Avoid conflict by
recognizing boundaries.

Understand that difference is
beautiful

Envision a world where everyone looks
exactly the same, goes to the same places and says the same things.
It’s a pretty boring place, right? You'll soon realize that it is
the differences between us that make life so interesting. Instead of
seeing the inconsistencies between us as a flaw, take interest in
them. Try to understand what others say about what they believe.
Listen to their ideas. This will make you a much more well-rounded
person when all is said and done.

Props to you though, chica, for your
strong convictions and the courage you have shown by asking for
advice on such a controversial topic!

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